Debugging is one of the most important aspect of programming. It is crucial to successful software development, but even many experienced programmers find it challenging. With the help of keyboard shortcuts , it can be made faster. So here is the list of all shortcut keys available in visual studio for debugging.

Debugging Shortcuts in Visual Studio

Shortcut

Description

Ctrl-Alt-V, A

Displays the Auto window to view the values of variables currently in the scope of the current line of execution within the current procedure

Ctrl-Alt-Break

Temporarily stops execution of all processes in a debugging session. Available only in run mode

Ctrl-Alt-B

Displays the Breakpoints dialog, where you can add and modify breakpoints

Ctrl-Alt-C

Displays the Call Stack window to display a list of all active procedures or stack frames for the current thread of execution. Available only in break mode

Ctrl-Shift-F9

Clears all of the breakpoints in the project

Ctrl-Alt-D

Displays the Disassembly window

Ctrl-F9

Enables or disables the breakpoint on the current line of code. The line must already havek a breakpoint for this to work

Ctrl-Alt-E

Displays the Exceptions dialog

Ctrl-Alt-I

Displays the Immediate window, where you can evaluate expressions and execute individual commands

Ctrl-Alt-V, L

Displays the Locals window to view the variables and their values for the currently selected procedure in the stack frame

Ctrl-Alt-M, 1

Displays the Memory 1 window to view memory in the process being debugged. This is particularly useful when you do not have debugging symbols available for the code you are looking at. It is also helpful for looking at large buffers, strings, and other data that does not display clearly in the Watch or Variables window

Ctrl-Alt-M, 2

Displays the Memory 2 window

Ctrl-Alt-M, 3

Displays the Memory 3 window

Ctrl-Alt-M, 4

Displays the Memory 4 window

Ctrl-Alt-U

Displays the Modules window, which allows you to view the .dll or .exe files loaded by the program. In multiprocess debugging, you can right-click and select Show Modules for all programs

Ctrl-B

Opens the New Breakpoint dialog

Ctrl-Alt-Q

Displays the Quick Watch dialog with the current value of the selected expression. Available only in break mode. Use this command to check the current value of a variable, property, or other expression for which you have not defined a watch expression

Ctrl-Alt-G

Displays the Registers window, which displays CPU register contents

Ctrl-Shift-F5

Terminates the current debugging session, rebuilds if necessary, and then starts a new debugging session. Available in break and run modes

Ctrl-Alt-N

Displays the Running Documents window that displays the set of HTML documents that you are in the process of debugging. Available in break and run modes

Ctrl-F10

Starts or resumes execution of your code and then halts execution when it reaches the selected statement. This starts the debugger if it is not already running

Ctrl-Shift-F10

Sets the execution point to the line of code you choose

Alt-NUM *

Highlights the next statement to be executed

F5

If not currently debugging, this runs the startup project or projects and attaches the debugger. If in break mode, this allows execution to continue (i.e., it returns to run mode).

Ctrl-F5

Runs the code without invoking the debugger. For console applications, this also arranges for the console window to stay open with a “Press any key to continue” prompt when the program finishes

F11

Executes code one statement at a time, tracing execution into function calls

Shift-F11

Executes the remaining lines of a function in which the current execution point lies

F10

Executes the next line of code but does not step into any function calls

Shift-F5

Available in break and run modes, this terminates the debugging session

Ctrl-Alt-V, T

Displays the This window, which allows you to view the data members of the object associated with the current method

Ctrl-Alt-H

Displays the Threads window to view all of the threads for the current process

F9

Sets or removes a breakpoint at the current line

Ctrl-F11

Displays the disassembly information for the current source file. Available only in break mode

Ctrl-Alt-W, 1

Displays the Watch 1 window to view the values of variables or watch expressions

Ctrl-Alt-W, 2

Displays the Watch 2 window

Ctrl-Alt-W, 3

Displays the Watch 3 window

Ctrl-Alt-W, 4

Displays the Watch 4 window

Ctrl-Alt-P

Displays the Processes dialog, which allows you to attach or detach the debugger to one or more running processes

Visual Studio 2017 v15.3 or higher versions support Live Unit Testing. This feature executes the already-written test cases automatically as a programmer makes the code changes. Live Unit Testing helps a developer to do the following:

It executes all the impacted Test Cases as a programmer modifies the code and makes sure changes do not break Unit Test Cases.

Through the Visual Studio editor, the programmer sees the code coverage in a realistic view.

It also indicates which line is covered or not using Live Unit Testing.

Live Unit Testing is supported in both .NET Framework and .NET Core.

EnablingLive Unit Testing is only available in Visual Studio 2017 with the Enterprise edition. We can enable the Live Unit Testing by going to the following menus - Test > Live Unit Testing > Start.

After enabling the Live Unit Testing for a project, Live Unit Testing shows options as Start, Pause, Stop and Reset.

ConfigurationThe default configuration can be changed from the Visual Studio Menu Tool > Options > Live Unit Testing > General. We can configure the Live Unit Testing for the Battery and Memory usages, Testcase Timeout, and Logging Level can be set as needed.

Setup Project Solution

Open the Visual Studio 2017.

Create one Windows Library Project as “ClassLibrary1” and Change the “Class1.cs” to the “AreaCalculator.cs”.

Right click on the solution and add a Unit Test Project as “UnitTestProject1” and change the “UnitTest1.cs” to the “AreaCalculatorTest.cs”

Add the Reference of the “ClassLibrary1” project to the “UnitTestProject1”.

Add the using statement “using ClassLibrary1;” to the “AreaCalculatorTest.cs” in the using statement section.

Build the Solution.

DemoOpen the AreaCalculator.cs and add the code as per the below screenshot.Open the AreaCalculatorTest.cs and paste the below code. I have not added the Test Method for the triangle’s area calculation and incorrectly calculated the Test Method of the square’s area, just to show some behavior of Live Unit Testing.

Replace the below code in the AreaCalculatorTest.cs fileNow start the Live Unit Testing from the Test menu, then an automatic background process triggers and we see an icon in-line with code. Description of each icon is mentioned here

Green Tick Mark represents that this Method is covered for the unit testing.

Cross Mark represents that this method is covered for the unit testing, but the test case failed during execution.

Blue Negative Mark represent that this method is not covered for the unit testing so a test case needs to be created.

Below screenshots represent each icon of the Live Unit Testing

Icon’s in AreaCalculator.cs

Icon’s in AreaCalculatorTest.cs

So, with the help of Live Unit Testing of Visual Studio, a developer will know about the impact of the changes he is making, and if it's covered for unit testing or not. This is an awesome feature of Visual Studio 2017

The BackgroundWorker allows you to execute operations that take a long period of time such as database transaction or file downloads, asynchronously on a separate thread and allow the user interface to remain responsive.

Start an Operation in the BackgroundFirst, you need to add an instance of the BackgroundWorker component to your application, if you use visual studio, just drag it from the toolbox to your application or you can create it manually as follow:BackgroundWorker backgroundWorker1 = new BackgroundWorker();

To start the operation in the background you have to call the RunWorkerAsync() method of the BackgroundWorker, when you call this method the BackgroundWroker starts the execution of the background operation by raising the DoWork event, the code in the DoWork event handler is executed on a separate thread.BackgroundWorker backgroundWorker1 = new BackgroundWorker(); //start the operation on another thread private void btnStart_Click(object sender, EventArgs e) { backgroundWorker1.RunWokerAsync(); } //DoWork event handler is executed on a separate thread private void backgroundWorker1_DoWork(object sender, DoWorkeventArgs e) { //a long running operation Thread.Sleep(5000); }

You can send a parameter to the background operation using the RunWorkerAsync() method. You can receive this parameter by using the Argument property of the instance of DoWorkEventArgs in the DoWork event handler then you cast it to use it in the background operation.

BackgroundWorker backgroundWorker1 = new BackgroundWorker(); //start the operation on another thread private void btnStart_Click(object sender, EventArgs e) { backgroundWorker1.RunWokerAsync(2000); } //DoWork event handler is executed on a separate thread private void backgroundWorker1_DoWork(object sender, DoWorkeventArgs e) { int input = (int)e.Argument; //a long running operation Thread.Sleep(input); } Reporting progress of a background operation using BackgroundWorkerBy using the BackgroundWorker you have the ability to report progress updates of the executing operation. To use this options you must set the WorkerReportsProgress to true.

To start report progress you call ReportProgress() method and use it to pass a parameter that have the value of the percentage of the progress that have been completed. This method raises the BackgroundWorker.ProgressChanged event. In the event handler of the ProgressChanged you can recieve the value of the progress precentage on the main thread using the ProgressPercentage property of the instance of ProgressChangedEventArgs.

The next step is to call the CancelAsync() method by doing so you set the CancellationPending property to true, by polling the CancellationPending property you can determine whether or not to cancel the background operation.

Alert the user in the completion of the background operationWhen the background operation completes, whether because the background operation is completed or canceled, the RunWorkerCompleted event is raised. You can alert the user to the completion by handling the RunWorkerCompleted event.

Return a value from the background operationYou can return a value from the background operation that in the DoWork event handler using the Result property of the DoWorkEventArgs instance, and you can receive it in the RunWorkerCompleted event handler using the Result property of the RunWorkerCompletedEventArgs instance.

Recently, Microsoft has announced the availability of Preview of Visual Studio IntelliCode in its Build 2018 developer’s conference. This is a new experimental tool for Visual Studio users bringing more of the company’s artificial intelligence smart to software development.

It is a set of AI-assisted capabilities which improves the developer’s productivity with features like contextual, IntelliSense and focused reviews for pull requests.

The company states -

“The IntelliCode extension augments productivity features in Visual Studio 2017 with insights based on understanding your code combined with machine learning. The first iteration of this extension enhances your IntelliSense experience by sorting completion items—which are recommended in your code context--to the top of the list.”

According to the company, IntelliCode is now applicable only for C# code but in future, it will be upgraded to support more languages.

A couple of months ago, I started using Visual Studio Code for my development activities. I found myself very uncomfortable with the keys and shortcuts. I have been using Visual Studio for more than 6 years now. So, I was very comfortable with the keys and shortcuts of that. The difference in shortcuts was creating a challenge for me. Should I remember a different set of shortcuts for VS Code? Should I start using some other editor?

Then, I started to customize the VS Code shortcuts. If you are also facing the same issues, then it's time you should consider customizing the Visual Studio Code shortcuts. It’s not worth spending energy on remembering a new set of shortcuts for a specific editor. Following are some tips,

Open keyboard shortcuts in Visual Studio Code and update the shortcuts as per your need.Press ctrl+K, ctrl+s to open the keyboard shortcut window. This looks something like below.

You can see the Edit button on the right side of the row (highlighted one). On click of the Edit button, it will ask you to change the combination you want to execute the command for.

You can change the combination for your convenience.

You can open keybindings.json file and update as per your need.To open the keybindings.json, you need to open the Keyboard shortcuts first by pressing ctrl+k, ctrl+s. You can click on the keybindings.json file.

This will open the default keybindings. This is a JSON file which can be modified to get your desired shortcuts.

You can have your custom JSON file with your shortcut commands.When you open default keybindings.json file in the right-hand side window, it opens a keybindings.json file where you can write your custom keys and commands.

Given are a couple of commands I have added in the keybindings.json file to work with the VS Code. Please let me know your feedbacks/ comments. Are there better ways I am not just aware of?

Visual Studio Code is a Editor for running your code efficiently. It is now very popular editor for running your Source Code. Its features are very awesome and anyone can shift to Visual Studio Code. The best part is, it is free to use and free to download. The developers who are get bored from the OLD, Simple looking, Boring HTML code Editors can also shift to Visual Studio Code. It is Developed by Microsoft.Nowadays developers facing problems while running a simple HTML code directly from the Editor as Visual Studio Code does not have any in-built direct feature to run the code like other Editors or its own Visual Studio. But here is a solution to run the code directly from the Editor.

Start the Visual Studio Code Editor. On the left panel click on the Extensions Tab. Or Press (Ctrl + shift + X)

Then in the search bar search for "open in browser". You will get a list of plugins. For simplicity select first plugin and click install

After completion of the installation process it will ask for RELOAD.Just RELOAD the VSC(Visual Studio Code) Editor it will not cause any damage to your unsaved data.

After reloading just right click on your html file and select "Open in Other Browsers".

Select your required Browser and See your Output.

Another way to run is a Short cut key from your keyboard is (Alt+Shift+B).

In this article, I will explain how to use Progress Bar control in Windows.Forms applications. Progress Bar control is an important control; many applications need to include progress bar control in them. Designing a Progress Bar in Windows.Forms application is simple and it can be used in the application. Follow the steps given below to create a Progress Bar.

Step 2From the toolbox, drag and drop the button control into the form and right click on the button. Select property. Here, you can change the text, font, and the name of the button. In my Project, I changed the text of the button to "Load Progress Bar".

Step 3Now, drag and drop the Progress Bar from the Toolbox to Windows.Forms in Visual Studio. Right-click on the progress bar and select property. Here also, you can change the text, font, and name of the Progress Bar. Progress bar is a control that applications use to indicate the progress of a lengthy operation, such as calculating the result, downloading a large file from the web etc. Progress Bar control is used whenever an operation takes more than a short period of time. The maximum and minimum properties define the range of values to represent the progress of a task.

Step 4Now, drag and drop the timer control from the toolbox to the Windows.Forms in Visual Studio. The detailed function of Timer control is already explained in my previous article.

Step 5Now, it's time to code. Follow the code given below in the screenshot for the Button-Click event.

Step 6Now, follow the code given below in the screenshot for the timer click event. A progress bar control is used to display the progress of some activity. I have added a timer control to the form and on the timer tick event handler, I increment the value of the progress bar.

OutputCompile and run the project. The final output of the project obtained is as given below in the screenshot. As the "Load Progress bar" button is pressed, the progress bar starts to display the progress.

SummaryHope you all understand the working of a progress bar. In case of any problem or error, please feel free to comment down below. In my next article, I will explain how to install NuGet Packages and work with Circular progress bar control in Windows.Forms application.

In this tutorial, i will tell you about how to Remove White Line Or Space In Visual Studio. I know this a not a new concept but i seen many times in my office guys lots of time spent remove the white space or lines. I know that this type of code snippet but this code snippet is very useful for everyone experienced or fresher developer. when we make a function or develop code am sure some extra lines add in code. Like this way,

suppose this type of blank lines on every pages. if you want manage your code that's no possible remove line one by one. Thank to Microsoft to give to option remove all blank line.

Open the find and replace pop up windows and past the code "^(?([^\r\n])\s)*\r?$\r?\n" in find textbox.

Note : You must be select the "Use Regular Expressions" before hit the replace button.

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